[Portman]

Mourinho: Forget England, I Want An Italian Club

(IMG:http://www.mrcalcio.it/wp-content/uploads/mourinho.jpg)

Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the runnings for the England national team job. Instead, he restated his desire to work for a club - particularly an Italian one...

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho offered a 'thanks, but no thanks' to those England supporters who had tipped him for the Three Lions hotseat.

Current boss Steve McClaren is under immense pressure in charge of the English national side, with Mourinho rumoured to be a potential replacement.

The 'Special One' himself, however, has nipped such speculation in the bud, first explaining that there's only one international job that would interest him, and then restating his desire to manage a club.

In an interview with English newspaper The News of the World, he said, "I think there are those who adore me in England. I adore English football. But I won't go back there for now.

Nonetheless, the door isn't closed forever on a return to the Premiership.

"I'd like to come back later," he added.

Still, it was clear to see where his desires were focused.

He stated, "I'd like to continue in club management, perhaps in Italy where I can test myself against their tacticians. The national team would be for later.

"The Portuguese national team is an ambition but not for the Jose Mourinho of today.

"Being the coach of a national team is not the same as being coach of a club. It's a job for someone who doesn't like working much."

Adding to his forthright views on international management, the former Porto coach criticised the growing trend for appointing foreign managers as bosses of national sides.

"I'm completely against having foreigners with national teams," he began.

"Not because I doubt the professionalism with which they do it, but I think that a national team should bring together the best players and the best coach from each country.

"The national team is an obsession for me but it will be at the end of my career. Let there be no doubt about that."

Mourinho, 44, has been out of work since his acrimonious departure from Chelsea in mid-September.

http://www.goal.com/en/articolo.aspx?contenutoid=453394

This post has been edited by Porty: Oct 21 2007, 04:20 PM